What a collection of travel memories! I looked through almost 12,000 images of stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and meaningful cultural encounters. It was really wonderful to see which moments you valued and picked to share with the community.

Each submission seemed to contain a bit of magic. Large-scale landscapes left us in awe of the natural world. Portraits and cultural scenes helped us feel connected to other people. And safari or wildlife scenes inspired a sense of wonder. It was very difficult to pare down the entries into just 17 selections!

I love this photo. The facial expressions, the room's patterns, the small details. One big advantage to traveling is connecting with another culture, and it's great that you were invited in to capt... More

Beautiful, David! I like how you froze a moment in time that allows us to glimpse into what it's like to be present for such a colorful festival. The subject is framed well by his peers carrying on... More

What an amazing photograph, Callie. It conjures a feeling of wonder for the landscape and the thrill of being suspended high up on this bridge. Thank you for giving us detail on why this moment was... More

A visit to Antarctica is indeed life-changing and you did a nice job at capturing that here. The ship leads our eye to a vast landscape dotted with explorers that give color and perspective, while ... More

I love this photo! The movement, the harsh environment, the triumphant and lighthearted expression on the climber's face. Thank you for tying it altogether by sharing your experience and why embark... More

I enjoyed seeing how each of you interpreted this assignment. One of the key objectives was to go back through your past travels to find a photo that you had a heartfelt connection with. We are often so fixated on the future that we don’t stop to reflect on where we have been and what impact it had on us. But together, we compiled a collection of our photographic archives to look back on, and to help us set goals for the future.

Thank you all for your enthusiasm for and contributions to this assignment, which is the first of two parts. In December, we’ll revisit the subject of “travel resolutions” to see if you fulfilled yours. Whether it’s the next town over or the opposite side of the globe, we’ll ask you to show us where you’ve gone in 2018. So have those cameras handy, and best wishes for a year of exploration!

Both visuals put me in awe. Typically we see underwater shots of coral in a tropical climate, so this photo with its snow-covered peaks and clear kelp forest stuck out to me for its uniqueness and ... More

What a beautiful image, Francesco! I love the time of day you chose to shoot this, the sky is bright enough but the Mosque still glows brilliantly. Great composition and patience to capture the wom... More

Stunning landscape, Adriano. The northern lights have to be one of the most inspirational and awe-inspiring displays of nature. I'm glad you shot this wide to show the arc and ends of the lights, w... More

What a striking image, Sirsendu! You captured a beautiful moment, while the flame illuminates the detail in his face and clothing. I love that he is in focus and the glow of the candles in the back... More

Lin Kuczera works on digital media for National Geographic Expeditions. She curates and manages the @NatGeoExpeditions Instagram account and believes in the power of travel to educate and inspire people to care for our planet, using photography as a means to celebrate the world.